US4961411A - Fuel control apparatus - Google Patents

Fuel control apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US4961411A
US4961411A US07/191,132 US19113288A US4961411A US 4961411 A US4961411 A US 4961411A US 19113288 A US19113288 A US 19113288A US 4961411 A US4961411 A US 4961411A
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Prior art keywords
fuel
calculated
value
time
injection
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Katsunori Oshiage
Yasutoshi Nanyoshi
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Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/30—Controlling fuel injection
    • F02D41/32—Controlling fuel injection of the low pressure type
    • F02D41/34—Controlling fuel injection of the low pressure type with means for controlling injection timing or duration
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/02—Circuit arrangements for generating control signals
    • F02D41/04—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions
    • F02D41/045—Detection of accelerating or decelerating state
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/02—Circuit arrangements for generating control signals
    • F02D41/04—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions
    • F02D41/10—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions for acceleration
    • F02D41/107—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions for acceleration and deceleration
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/40—Engine management systems

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and fuel injectors provided to inject fuel in a sequential fashion for the respective cylinders and, more particularly, to an engine control apparatus for performing fuel injection twice from each of the fuel injectors to supply fuel in an amount required in one combustion phase of the associated cylinder.
  • Japanese Kokai No. 61-76143 for Utility Model Registration discloses a fuel control apparatus where fuel injection is made twice to supply the amount of fuel required for each cycle of operation of an engine cylinder.
  • the engine control apparatus calculates a value for the amount of fuel injected from a fuel injector during the first fuel injection according to the engine operating conditions existing at a time just before the first fuel injection is initiated and a value for the amount of fuel injected from the fuel injector during the second fuel injection according to the engine operating conditions existing at a time just before the second fuel injection is initiated.
  • an apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and fuel injectors provided to inject fuel in a sequential fashion for the respective cylinders.
  • the apparatus comprises sensor means for producing electrical signals indicative of existing engine operating conditions including engine load and a control circuit coupled to the sensor means for making first and second fuel injections from each of the fuel injectors to supply fuel in an amount required in one combustion phase of the associated cylinder.
  • the control circuit includes means for determining a first time at which first fuel injection is to be made from a specified fuel injector and a second time at which second fuel injection is to be made from the specified fuel injector, means for calculating a first value for the amount of fuel injected from the specified injector during the first fuel injection according to engine operating conditions existing at a third time just before the first time, means for calculating a second value for the amount of fuel injected from the specified injector during the second fuel injection according to the engine operating conditions existing at a fourth time just before the second time, means for calculating a difference between the first and second values, means for estimating a correction factor according to the calculated difference, means for modifiying the second value by adding the calculated correction factor to the calculated second value, and means for operating the specified fuel injector at the first time to inject fuel in an amount corresponding to the first value and operating the specified fuel injector at the second time to inject fuel in an amount corresponding to the modified second value, the correction factor being determined to compensate for a difference between the sum of the amount of fuel injected
  • control circuit includes means for specifying one of the fuel injectors and another fuel injector means for determining a time at which the specified two fuel injectors are to be operated, means for calculating a first value for the amount of fuel injected from the specified one fuel injector during first fuel injection according to the existing engine operating conditions, means for storing the calculated first value in a memory having memory areas provided for the respective fuel injectors, means for reading the last first value calculated previously for the specified another fuel injector from the memory, means for calculating a difference between the last first value for specified another fuel injector and the first value calculated for the specified one fuel injector, means for estimating a correction factor according to the calculated difference, means for calculating a seocnd value for the amount of fuel injected from the specified another fuel injector during second fuel injection, the second value being calculated by adding the calculated correction factor to the first value calculated for the specified one fuel injector, and means for operating the specified one fuel injector at the determined time to inject fuel in an amount corresponding to the first value calculated for the specified one fuel injector, and means
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a fuel control apparatus made in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control unit used in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the fuel injection control circuit used in the control unit of FIG. 2;
  • FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are flow diagrams illustrating the programming of the digital computer of the control unit
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams used in explaining the operation of the fuel control apparatus of the invention.
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 are flow diagram illustrating the programming of the digital computer used in a second embodiment of the fuel control apparatus of the invention.
  • FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams used in explaining the second embodiment of the fuel control apparatus of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 With rference to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic diagram of an engine control system embodying the invention.
  • An internal combustion engine generally designated by the numeral 10, for an automotive vehicle includes a combustion chamber or cylinder 12.
  • a piston 14 is mounted for reciprocating motion within the cylinder 12.
  • a crankshaft 16 is supported for rotation within the engine 10.
  • Pivotally connected to the piston 14 and the crankshaft 16 is a connecting rod 18 used to produce rotation of the crankshaft 16 in response to reciprocation of the piston 14 within the cylinder 12.
  • An intake manifold 20 is connected with the cylinder 12 through an intake port with which an intake valve 22 is in cooperation for regulating an entry of combustion ingredients into the cylinder 12 from the intake manifold 20.
  • a spark plug 24 is mounted in the top of the cylinder 12 for igniting the combustion ingredients within the cylinder 12 when the spark plug 24 is energized by the presence of high voltage electrical energy from an ignition coil 26.
  • An exhaust manifold 30 is connected with the cylinder 12 through an exhaust port with which an exhaust valve is in cooperation for regulating the exit of combustion products, exhaust gases, from the cylinder 12 into the exhaust manifold 20.
  • the intake and exhaust valves are driven through a suitable linkage with the crankshaft 16.
  • Air to the engine 10 is supplied through an air cleaner 32 into an induction passage 34.
  • the amount of air permitted to enter the combustion chamber 12 through the intake manifold 20 is controlled by a butterfly throttle valve 36 situated within the induction passage 34.
  • the throttle valve 36 is connected by a mechanical linkage to an accelerator pedal. The degree of rotation of the throttle valve 36 is manually controlled by the operator of the engine control system.
  • a fuel injector 40 is connected to a fuel supply system which includes a fuel tank 42, a fuel pump 44, a fuel damper 46, a fuel filter 48, and a pressure regulator 50.
  • the fuel pump 44 is electrically operated and is capable of maintaining sufficient pressure.
  • the fuel damper 46 attenuates the fuel pressure to an extent.
  • the fuel filter 48 prevents any contaminants from reaching the fuel injector 40.
  • the pressure regulator 50 maintains the pressure differential across the fuel injector 40 at a constant level. This regulation is accomplished by a variation in the amount of excess fuel returned by the regulator 50 to the fuel tank 42.
  • the fuel injector 40 opens to inject fuel into the induction passage 34 when it is energized by the presence of electrical current.
  • the length of the electrical pulse, that is, the pulse-width, applied to the fuel injector 40 determines the length of time the fuel injector opens and, thus, determines the amount of fuel injected into the intake manifold 20.
  • fuel is injected through the fuel injector 40 toward the intake port of the cylinder 12 and mixes with the air therein.
  • the intake valve opens, the air-fuel mixture enters the combustion chamber 12.
  • An upward stroke of the piston 14 compresses the air-fuel mixture, which is then ignited by a spark produced by the spark plug 24 in the combustion chamber 12.
  • Combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 12 takes place, releasing heat energy, which is converted into mechanical energy upon the power stroke of the piston 14.
  • the exhaust valve opens and the exhaust gases are discharged into the exhaust manifold 30.
  • FIG. 1 show only one combustion chamber 12 formed by a cylinder and piston, it should be understood that the engine control system described here is equally applicable to a multi-cylinder engine.
  • a four-cylinder engine has four cylinders, four intake valves, four exhaust valves, four reciprocating pistons, four fuel injectors and four spark plugs to ignite the air-fuel mixture within the combustion chambers and that a six-cylinder engine has six cylinders, six intake valves, six exhaust valves, six reciprocating pistons, six fuel injectors and six spark plugs to ignite the air-fuel mixture within the combustion chambers.
  • the amount of fuel metered to the engine is repetitively determined from calculations performed by a digital computer, these calculations being based upon various conditions of the engine that are sensed during its operation. These sensed conditions include cylinder-head coolant temperature, intake air flow, engine battery voltage and engine speed.
  • a cylinder-head coolant temperature sensor 52, a flow meter 54, a engine battery voltage sensor 56, and a crankshaft position sensor 58 are connected to a control unit 60.
  • the cylinder-head coolant temperature sensor 52 preferably is mounted in the engine cooling system and it comprises a thermistor connected in an electrical circuit capable of producing a DC voltage having a variable level proportional to coolant temperature.
  • the flow meter 54 comprises a thermosensitive wire placed in a bypass passage 34a provided for the induction passage 34 upstream of the throttle valve 36.
  • the engine battery voltage sensor 56 produces a signal proportional to the voltage of the engine battery.
  • the crankshaft position sensor 58 produces a series of crankshaft position electrical pulses C1 each corresponding to one degree of rotation of the engine crankshaft and a series of reference electrical pulses Ca at a predetermined number of degree before the top dead center position of each engine piston.
  • the control unit 60 comprises a digital computer which includes a central processing unit (CPU) 61, a random access memory (RAM) 62, a read only memory (ROM) 63, and an input/output control circuit (I/O) 64.
  • the central processing unit 61 communicates with the rest of the computer via data bus 65.
  • the input/output control circuit 64 includes a counter which counts the reference pulses Ca fed from the crankshaft position sensor 58 and converts its count into an engine speed indicating digital signal for application to the central processing unit 61.
  • the input/output control circuit 64 also includes an analog-to-digital converter which receives analog signals from the flow meter 54, and other sensors and converts them into digital form for application to the central processing unit 61.
  • the A to D conversion process is initiated on command from the central processing unit 61 which selects the input channel to be converted.
  • the read only memory 63 contains the program for operating the central processing unit 61 and further contains appropriate data in look-up tables used in calculating appropriate values for fuel delivery requirements and ignition-system spark timing.
  • Control words specifying desired fuel delivery requirements and ignition-system spark timing are periodically transferred by the central processing unit 61 to the fuel-injection and spark-timing control circuits included in the input/output control circuit 64.
  • the fuel injection control circuit converts the received control word into a fuel injection pulse signal Si for application to a power transistor 66.
  • the power transistor 66 connects the fuel injector 40 to the engine battery 70 for a time period determined by the width of the fuel injection control pulse signal Si.
  • the spark timing control circuit converts the received control word into a spark timing control pulse signal Sp for application to a power transistor 68.
  • the power transistor 68 connects the ignition coil 26 to the engine battery 70 for a time period determined by the width of the spark timing control pulse signal Sp.
  • the ignition system includes a distributor 28 connected with the ignition coil 26 to energize the spark plugs 24 of the engine.
  • the ignition coil 26 has a primary winding connected across the engine battery 70 through the power transistor 68.
  • the ignition coil 26 has a high voltage terminal connected to a rotor 28a of the distributor 28.
  • the rotor 28a is driven at one-half the rotational velocity of the crankshaft 16.
  • the distributor 28 has electrical contacts 28b each of which is connected in the usual manner by separate electrical leads to the spark plugs 24 of the engine. As the distributor rotor 28a rotates, it sequentially contacts the electrical contacts 28b to permit high voltage electrical energy to be supplied at appropriate intervals to the spark plugs 24, causing sparks to be generated across the gaps 24a of the respective spark plugs 24.
  • the fuel injection control circuit includes a fuel-injection timing control circuit 80 and a fuel-injection interval control circuit 90.
  • the fuel-injection timing control circuit 80 includes an ANG register 82, a comparator 84 and a counter 86.
  • the ANG register 82 loads the calculated fuel-injection timing digital value ADD1 transferred thereto from the central processing unit 61.
  • the counter 86 counts the crankshaft position pulses C1 fed thereto from the crankshaft position sensor 58.
  • the counter 86 responds to a reference pulse Ca fed thereto from the crankshaft position sensor 58 by clearing its count and starting its counting operation. For example, the reference pulse is generated at 120 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft when the invention is applied to a four-cylinder engine.
  • the comparator 84 compares the count of the counter 86 with the digital value ADD1 loaded on the ANG register 82 and produces a control signal Sc. This control signal changes from a high level to a low level when the counter 86 is cleared. The control signal Sc changes from the low level to the high level when the count of the counter 86 reaches the digital value ADD1 loaded on the ANG register 82.
  • the fuel-injection interval control circuit 90 includes a plurality of sets of an EGI register 92, a comparator 94, a counter 96 and an AND gate circuit 98 provided for the respective cylinders.
  • the EGI register 92 loads the calculated fuel-injection pulse-width digital value ADD2 transferred thereto from the central processing unit 61.
  • the counter 96 counts clock pulses fed thereto from a clock pulse source.
  • a gating signal is fed from the central processing unit 61 to place the AND gate circuit 98 into its open state permitting application of a high-level control signal Sc to the counter 96 which thereby clears its count and starts its counting operation.
  • the comparator 94 produces a control pulse signal Sd to the power transistor 66.
  • This control pulse signal Sd changes from a low level to a high level turning on the power transistor 66 when the counter is cleared.
  • the control pulse signal Sd changes from the high level to the low level turning off the power transistor 68 when the count of the counter 96 reaches the digital value ADD2 loaded on the EGI register 92.
  • the fuel injector 40 opens to initiate fuel injection when the count of the counter 86 reaches the fuel-injection timing digital value ADD1 and closes to terminate the fuel injection when the count of the counter 96 reaches the fuel-injection pulse-width digital value ADD2 loaded on the EGI register 92.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the programming of the digital computer as it is used to calculate a desired value for fuel delivery requirement in form of fuel-injection pulse-width.
  • the computer program is entered at the point 202 at uniform time intervals, for example, of 10 milliseconds.
  • the engine speed signal is read into the random access memory 62.
  • the intake air flow signal fed from the flow meter 54 is converted to digital form and read into the random access memory 62.
  • the cylinder-head coolant-temperature signal is converted to digital form and read into the random access memory 62.
  • the engine battery voltage signal is converted to digital form and read into the random access memory 62.
  • the central processing unit 61 calculates an effective value Te for fuel-injection pulse-width from a relationship programmed into the computer. This step serves to compensate for variations in cylinder-head coolant-temperature.
  • the effective value Te corresponds to the amount of fuel to be injected from a given fuel injector during the first fuel injection, this fuel amount being one-half the amount of fuel required in the associated cylinder under the engine operating conditions existing at the time when the effective value Te is calculated.
  • the central processing unit 61 calculate a dead value Td for fuel-injection pulse-width from a relationship programmed into the computer. This relationship defines dead value Td as a function of engine battery voltage.
  • the central processing unit 61 calculates an actual value Ti for fuel-injection pulse-width by adding the calculated dead value Td to the effective value Te. This step serves to compensate for engine battery voltage drops. It is to be understood that the fuel injector opens for a time period corresponding to the effective value Te when the pulse width of a fuel-injection control pulse supplied to the fuel injector is equal to the actual value Ti.
  • the last fuel-injection pulse-width value Ti1 is read from the random access memory 62.
  • the last value Ti1 was calculated previously for the first fuel injection from a given fuel injector for which a second fuel-injection pulse-width value Ti2 is to be calculated in this cycle of execution of this program and was stored in the random access memory 62 at a location assigned to the cylinder associated with the given fuel injector.
  • the central processing unit 61 calculates a difference ⁇ Te by substracting the last value Ti1 from the calculated actual value Ti.
  • the latter equation is used when it is required to convert a time interval into a corresponding interval of a number of degrees of crankshaft rotation.
  • the calculated correction factor P ⁇ Te is determined to compensate for a diffrence between the sum of the amount of fuel injected from a given fuel injector during the first fuel injection and the amount of fuel injected from the given fuel injector during the second fuel injection and a fuel amount required at a time when the injected fuel is charged in the associated cylinder.
  • the central processing unit 61 calculates a value Ti2 for second fuel-injection pulse-width by adding the calculated value P ⁇ Te to the calculated actual value Ti.
  • the calculated value Ti2 is used for the second fuel injection.
  • the calculated values Ti and Ti2 are outputted. Following this, the program proceeds to the end point 230.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the programming of the digital computer as it is used to determine appropriate values for timing of first and second fuel injection.
  • the computer program is entered at the point 252 in response to a reference signal produced at 120 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft.
  • a reference counter counts up by one step.
  • the value for second fuel-injection timing is calculated in such a manner to assure that fuel injection will be terminated a predetermined time before the closing of the corresponding engine intake valve. For this calculation, the fuel-injection pulse-width increase P ⁇ Te and the interval between the time at which fuel is injected from the fuel injector and the time at which the injected fuel reaches the intake valve are taken into account by the fuel control apparatus.
  • the central processing unit 61 determines the cylinder for which the second fuel injection is to be initiated within the interval of 120 degrees of crankshaft rotation.
  • the central processing unit determines the cylinder for which the first fuel injection is to be initiated within the interval of 120 degrees of crankshaft rotation.
  • the central processing unit 61 transfers the calculated value for fuel-injection timing to the ANG register 82 and at the same time produces a high-level gating signal to open the AND gate circuits 98 associated with the determined cylinders.
  • the central processing unit 61 transfers the calculated values Ti and Ti2 for fuel-injection pulse-width to the EGI registers 92 associated with the determined cylinders, respectively. Following this, the program proceeds to the end point 266.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the programming of the digital computer as it is used to transfer the calculated values Ti for first fuel-injection pulse-width and the calculated value Ti2 for second fuel-injection pulse-width.
  • the computer program is entered at the point 302 at uniform time intervals, for example, of 10 milliseconds or in response to a reference signal produced at 120 degrees of crankshaft rotation.
  • the central processing unit 61 transfers the calculated value Ti for first fuel-injection pulse-width to the EGI register 92 which is associated with the determined cylinder for which first fuel injection is to be made.
  • the central processing unit 61 transfers the calculated value Ti2 for second fuel-injection pulse-width to the EGI register 92 which is associated with the determined cylinder for which second fuel injection is to be made. Following this, the program proceeds to the end point 308.
  • FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the programming of the digital computer as it is used to store the calculated value Ti for first fuel-injection pulse-width.
  • the computer program is entered at the point 352 each time the comparator 94 associated with the EGI register 92 to which the calculated value Ti is transferred produces a fuel-injection control pulse Sd.
  • the calculated value Ti is stored as Ti1 in the random access memory 62 having memory areas provided for the respective cylinders. Following this, the program proceeds to the end point 356.
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 The operation of the fuel control apparatus of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 where the invention is applied to a four-stroke, six-cylinder engine having six fuel injectors arranged to inject fuel in a sequential fashion for the respective cylinders.
  • the sequence or order of fuel injection of the engine is as follows: Cylinders #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6.
  • the central processing unit 61 calculates a first value Ti which determines the amount of fuel injected during the first fuel injection for a given cylinder (for example, cylinder #1) and a second value Ti2 which determines the amount of fuel injected during the second fuel injection for the cylinder (for example, cylinder #4) where the first fuel injection is initiated at a time retarded 360 degrees of crankshaft rotation with respect to the time at which the first fuel injection is initiated for the given cylinder (cylinder #1).
  • Fuel injection from a given fuel injector is initiated at uniform intervals of 360 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft.
  • the first fuel injection is initiated at a time advanced sufficiently before the opening of the associated intake valve.
  • the second fuel injection is initiated at a time just before the opening of the associated intake valve and terminated a constant time before the closing of the associated intake valve.
  • the hatched arrow indicates the period during which the associated intake valve is open.
  • the first fuel-injection pulse-width value Ti1 which is used for determining the amount of fuel injected through the given cylinder during the first fuel injection ⁇ 1 , is calculated according to the engine operating conditions existing at a time t1 just before the first fuel injection ⁇ 1 is initiated.
  • the amount of fuel injected from the given fuel injector during the first fuel injection ⁇ 1 is one-half the amount of fuel required in one operation cycle of the associated cylinder for the same engine operating conditions.
  • the fuel-injection pulse-width value Ti2 which is used for determining the amount of fuel injected from the given cylinder during the second fuel injection ⁇ 2 , is calculated at a time t2 by adding a correction factor P ⁇ Te to the first fuel-injection pulse-width value Ti calculated according to the engine operating conditions existing at a time t2 just before the second fuel injection ⁇ 2 is initiated.
  • the correction factor P ⁇ Te is estimated based on a difference between the first fuel-injection pulse-width values Ti1 and Ti, the difference corresponding to an engine load variation produced between the times t1 and t2.
  • the correction factor P ⁇ Te can compensate for a fuel shortage produced due to an engine load variation produced between the time t1 at which the value Ti1 is calculated and the time t3 at which the fuel injected during the first and second fuel injection is charged into the associated cylinder.
  • the calculated first fuel-injection pulse-width value Ti corresponds to a fuel amount one-half the amount of fuel required in one operation cycle of the associated cylinder
  • the ratio of the fuel amount injected during the first fuel injection to the fuel amount required in one operation cycle of the associated cylinder is not limited to 1/2 and may be a desired value a/(a+b).
  • the correction factor P ⁇ Te is determined to satisfy the following equation: ##EQU1##
  • the second value Ti2 is calculated by adding the correction factor P ⁇ Te to the calculated first value during transient of the engine operating condition where the engine load is increasing, it is to be understood that the second value Ti2 may be calculated by subtracting the correction factor P ⁇ Te from the calculated first value Ti during transition of the engine operating condition where the engine load is decreasing.
  • the invention has been described in connection with a six-cylinder engine, it is to be understood, of course, that it is equally applicable to four-cylinder and other engines.
  • FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating the programming of the digital computer as it is used to calculate a desired value for fuel delivery requirement in form of fuel-injection pulse-width.
  • the fuel amount injected during the first fuel injection is equal to the amount of fuel required in one operation cycle of the associated cylinder.
  • the computer program is entered at the point 402 at uniform time intervals, for example, of 10 milliseconds.
  • the engine speed signal is read into the random access memory 62.
  • the intake air flow signal fed from the flow meter 54 is converted to digital form and read into the random access memory 62.
  • the cylinder-head coolant-temperature signal is converted to digital form and read into the random access memory 62.
  • the engine battery voltage signal is converted to digital form and read into the random access memory 62.
  • the fuel-delivery requirement in the form of basic fuel-injection pulse-width Tp, is calculated by the digital computer central processing unit 61 from a relationship programmed into the computer.
  • the central processing unit 61 calculates an effective value Te for fuel-injection pulse-width from a relationship programmed into the computer. This step serves to compensate for variations in cylinder-head coolant-temperature.
  • the effective value Te corresponds to the amount of fuel to be injected from a given fuel injector during the first fuel injection, this fuel amount being one-half the amount of fuel required in the associated cylinder under the engine operating conditions existing at the time when the effective value Te is calculated.
  • the central processing unit 61 calculate a dead value Td for fuel-injection pulse-width from a relationship programmed into the computer. This relationship defines dead value Td as a function of engine battery voltage.
  • crankshaft angular position ⁇ is given as:
  • the last fuel-injection pulse-width value Ti1 is read from the random access memory 62.
  • the last value Ti1 was calculated previously for the first fuel injection from a given fuel injector for which a second fuel-injection pulse-width value Ti2 is to be calculated in this cycle of execution of this program and was stored in the random access memory 62 at a location assigned to the cylinder associated with the given fuel injector.
  • the central processing unit 61 calculates a difference ⁇ Te by subtracting the last value Ti1 from the calculated actual value Ti.
  • the latter equation is used when it is required to convert a time interval into a corresponding interval of a number of degrees of crankshaft rotation.
  • the calculated correction factor P ⁇ Te is determined to compensate for a difference between the sum of the amount of fuel injected from a given fuel injector during the first fuel injection and the amount of fuel injected from the given fuel injector during the second fuel injection and a fuel amount required at a time when the injected fuel is charged in the associated cylinder.
  • the central processing unit 61 calculates a value Ti2 for second fuel-injection pulse-width by adding the calculated dead value Td to the calculated correction factor P ⁇ Te.
  • the calculated value Ti2 is used for the second fuel injection.
  • the calculated values Ti and Ti2 are transferred to the EGI registers 92. Following this, the program proceeds to the end point 440.
  • FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating the programming of the digital computer as it is used to determine appropriate values for timing of first and second fuel injection.
  • the computer program is entered at the point 452 in response to a reference signal produced at 120 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft.
  • a reference counter counts up by one step.
  • the value for second fuel-injection timing is calculated in such a manner to assure that fuel injection will be terminated a predetermined time before the closing of the corresponding engine intake valve. For this calculation, the fuel-injection pulse-width increase P ⁇ Te and the interval between the time at which fuel is injected from the fuel injector and the time at which the injected fuel reaches the intake valve are taken into account by the fuel control apparatus.
  • the central processing unit 61 determines the cylinder for which the second fuel injection is to be initiated within the interval of 120 degrees of crankshaft rotation.
  • the central processing unit determines the cylinder for which the first fuel injection is to be initiated within the interval of 120 degrees of crankshaft rotation.
  • the central processing unit 61 transfers the calculated value for fuel-injection timing to the ANG registor 82.
  • the central processing unit 61 produces a high-level gating signal to open the AND gate circuit 98 associated with the cylinder determined for the first fuel injection.
  • the central processing unit 61 transfers the calculated values Ti and Ti2 for fuel-injection pulse-width to the EGI registers 92 associated with the determined cylinders, respectively. Following this, the program proceeds to the end point 472.
  • FIGS. 12 and 13 where the invention is applied to a four-stroke, six-cylinder engine having six fuel injectors arranged to inject fuel in a sequential fashion for the respective cylinders.
  • the sequence or order of fuel injection of the engine is as follows: Cylinders #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6.
  • the central processing unit 61 calculates a first value Ti which determines the amount of fuel injected during the first fuel injection for a given cylinder (for example, cylinder #1) and a second value Ti2 which determines the amount of fuel injected during the second fuel injection for the cylinder (for example, cylinder #4) where the first fuel injection is initiated at a time retarded 360 degrees of crankshaft rotation with respect to the time at which the first fuel injection is initiated for the given cylinder (cylinder #1).
  • Fuel injection from a given fuel injector is initiated at uniform intervals of 360 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft.
  • the first fuel injection is initiated at a time advanced sufficiently before the opening of the associated intake valve.
  • the second fuel injection is initiated at a time just before the opening of the accociated intake valve and terminated a constant time before the closing of the associated intake valve.
  • the hatched arrow indicates the period during which the associated intake valve is open.
  • the first fuel-injection pulse-width value Ti1 which is used for determining the amount of fuel injected through the given cylinder during the first fuel injection ⁇ 1 , is calculated according to the engine operating conditions existing at a time t1 just before the first fuel injection ⁇ 1 is initiated.
  • the amount of fuel injected from the given fuel injector during the first fuel injection ⁇ 1 is equal to the amount of fuel required in one operation cycle of the associated cylinder for the same engine operating conditions.
  • the fuel-injection pulse-width value Ti2 which is used for determining the amount of fuel injected from the given cylinder during the second fuel injection ⁇ 2 , is calculated at a time t2 by adding a correction factor P ⁇ Te to the calculated dead value Td.
  • the correction factor P ⁇ Te is determined based on a difference between the first fuel-injection pulse-width values Ti1 and Ti, the difference corresponding to an engine load variation produced between the times t1 and t2.
  • the correction factor P ⁇ Te can compensate for a fuel shortage produced due to an engine load variation produced between the time t1 at which the value Ti1 is calculated and the time t3 at which the fuel injected during the first and second fuel injection is charged into the associated cylinder.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electrical Control Of Air Or Fuel Supplied To Internal-Combustion Engine (AREA)
US07/191,132 1987-05-18 1988-05-06 Fuel control apparatus Expired - Fee Related US4961411A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1987074939U JPH0531243Y2 (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png) 1987-05-18 1987-05-18
JP62-74939[U] 1987-05-18

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US4961411A true US4961411A (en) 1990-10-09

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US (1) US4961411A (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)
JP (1) JPH0531243Y2 (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5137000A (en) * 1991-03-29 1992-08-11 Cummins Electronics Company Device and method for decreasing delays in fuel injected internal combustion engines
US5159914A (en) * 1991-11-01 1992-11-03 Ford Motor Company Dynamic fuel control
EP0533979A1 (de) * 1991-09-26 1993-03-31 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren zum Steuern einer Brennkraftmaschine während dynamischer Übergangszustände
US5495841A (en) * 1992-07-07 1996-03-05 Saab Automobile Aktiebolag Device and method of correcting the fuel amount supplied to Otto engines
US5568799A (en) * 1994-07-06 1996-10-29 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Fuel injection control system for internal combustion engines
US5572975A (en) * 1992-07-07 1996-11-12 Saab Automobile Aktiebolag Device and method of regulating the start of fuel injection in an otto engine
FR2921975A1 (fr) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-10 Renault Sas Procede d'injection fractionnee de carburant dans une tubulure d'admission d'un moteur thermique

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5929733A (ja) * 1982-08-11 1984-02-17 Toyota Motor Corp 内燃機関の電子制御燃料噴射方法
JPS59200032A (ja) * 1983-04-27 1984-11-13 Toyota Motor Corp 電子制御燃料噴射式エンジンの空燃比制御方法
JPS59211731A (ja) * 1983-05-16 1984-11-30 Toyota Motor Corp 内燃機関用電子制御燃料噴射装置の噴射時期制御装置
US4508085A (en) * 1983-06-15 1985-04-02 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel injection control method for multi cylinder internal combustion engines of sequential injection type at acceleration
US4532907A (en) * 1984-09-14 1985-08-06 Ford Motor Company Selective single fire/double fire fuel injection control
JPS60195347A (ja) * 1984-03-16 1985-10-03 Nissan Koki Kk 燃料噴射時期制御方法
JPS60233353A (ja) * 1984-05-07 1985-11-20 Toyota Motor Corp 独立噴射式内燃機関の燃料噴射時期制御装置
JPS6176143A (ja) * 1984-09-21 1986-04-18 株式会社島津製作所 超音波診断装置
US4785784A (en) * 1986-11-18 1988-11-22 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel injection control system for internal combustion engine
US4800860A (en) * 1987-01-14 1989-01-31 Nissan Motor Company Limited Fuel injection control system for internal combustion engine with precisely engine load dependent fuel injection amount adjustment feature

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5929733A (ja) * 1982-08-11 1984-02-17 Toyota Motor Corp 内燃機関の電子制御燃料噴射方法
JPS59200032A (ja) * 1983-04-27 1984-11-13 Toyota Motor Corp 電子制御燃料噴射式エンジンの空燃比制御方法
JPS59211731A (ja) * 1983-05-16 1984-11-30 Toyota Motor Corp 内燃機関用電子制御燃料噴射装置の噴射時期制御装置
US4508085A (en) * 1983-06-15 1985-04-02 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel injection control method for multi cylinder internal combustion engines of sequential injection type at acceleration
JPS60195347A (ja) * 1984-03-16 1985-10-03 Nissan Koki Kk 燃料噴射時期制御方法
JPS60233353A (ja) * 1984-05-07 1985-11-20 Toyota Motor Corp 独立噴射式内燃機関の燃料噴射時期制御装置
US4532907A (en) * 1984-09-14 1985-08-06 Ford Motor Company Selective single fire/double fire fuel injection control
JPS6176143A (ja) * 1984-09-21 1986-04-18 株式会社島津製作所 超音波診断装置
US4785784A (en) * 1986-11-18 1988-11-22 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel injection control system for internal combustion engine
US4800860A (en) * 1987-01-14 1989-01-31 Nissan Motor Company Limited Fuel injection control system for internal combustion engine with precisely engine load dependent fuel injection amount adjustment feature

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5137000A (en) * 1991-03-29 1992-08-11 Cummins Electronics Company Device and method for decreasing delays in fuel injected internal combustion engines
EP0533979A1 (de) * 1991-09-26 1993-03-31 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren zum Steuern einer Brennkraftmaschine während dynamischer Übergangszustände
US5159914A (en) * 1991-11-01 1992-11-03 Ford Motor Company Dynamic fuel control
US5495841A (en) * 1992-07-07 1996-03-05 Saab Automobile Aktiebolag Device and method of correcting the fuel amount supplied to Otto engines
US5572975A (en) * 1992-07-07 1996-11-12 Saab Automobile Aktiebolag Device and method of regulating the start of fuel injection in an otto engine
US5568799A (en) * 1994-07-06 1996-10-29 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Fuel injection control system for internal combustion engines
FR2921975A1 (fr) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-10 Renault Sas Procede d'injection fractionnee de carburant dans une tubulure d'admission d'un moteur thermique

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH0531243Y2 (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png) 1993-08-11
JPS63182255U (US20030220297A1-20031127-C00074.png) 1988-11-24

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